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8-DAY GUIDED CYCLING IN LITHUANIA AND LATVIA: VILNIUS-NERINGA-RIGA

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GUIDED CYCLING TOUR IN LITHUANIA & LATVIA:

VILNIUS-NERINGA-SIGULDA-RIGA

8 days / 7 nights

The Baltic coast and National Parks of Lithuania and Latvia explored on highly scenic routes, including the two capital cities –Vilnius and Riga – with their old towns designated by UNESCO as the World Heritage Sites; and featuring the previously-closed Curonian Spit. Start your tour in Vilnius, travel to the Baltic Sea Coast in the West and further on to Latvia in the north, enjoy a great variety of towns, villages and landscapes, and get an excellent feel for the different characters of these distinctive sister countries.

TOUR CODE:	LANGUAGE:	DEPARTURE DATES 2012:	TERMINATING DATES 2012:	RATE PER PERSON IN EUR:
G2-1	EN, DE	June 24	July 01	DBL 795 SGL 955
G2-2	EN, DE	July 08	July 15	DBL 795 SGL 955
G2-3	EN, DE	July 22	July 29	DBL 795 SGL 955
G2-4	EN, DE	August 05	August 12	DBL 795 SGL 955
G2-5	EN, DE	August 19	August 26	DBL 795 SGL 955

ITINERARY (cycling ~210 km)

Day 1 Sunday: VILNIUS

Arrival in Vilnius. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included). Check-in at the hotel. 7:00 p.m. (19:00) welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide. Optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Vilnius

HOTEL: TILTO*** or similar

Day 2 Monday: VILNIUS-TRAKAI-KAUNAS (cycling ~30 km, by coach ~110 km)

9:00 a.m. a city tour of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The tour includes: the Cathedral Square, St.Ann and Bernardines’ Church, the Gates of Dawn with a holy image of the Virgin Mary, Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit, Town Hall Square and Vilnius University (founded in 1579) with St. John’s Church. Afternoon trip to Trakai (25 km from Vilnius), the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.Visit to the insular castle of the 14th century, erected on a small island in lake Galve. Then cycling on picturesque hilly road and transfer by coach to Kaunas. Arrival in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Kaunas

HOTEL: SANTAKA BEST WESTERN**** or similar

Day 3 Tuesday: KAUNAS-VENTE-NIDA (cycling ~30 km, by coach ~200 km)

Morning transfer along the Nemunas River to the seaside region. En route passing by Veliuona mound hill and impressive 16th-17th century castles of Raudone and Panemune. In the afternoon cycling to the Vente Horn where visit an ornithological station and the 19th century lighthouse that was active for more than 100 years. Take a boat across the Curonian Lagoon to Nida and enjoy a beautiful view to sand dunes of the Curonian Spit separating the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Arrival in Nida, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Nida

HOTEL: NERIJA*** or similar

Day 4 Wednesday: NIDA-JUODKRANTE-KLAIPEDA (cycling ~55 km)

Sightseeing around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Exploring the Amber Gallery and a summer house of the famous German writer Thomas Mann. Cycling on the Seaside Cycle Route which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda. En route stop at “Dead” sand dunes and colony of grey herons and cormorants, visit the Hill of Witches which houses a hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures scattered along a forest path. Arrival in Smiltyne, take a ferry to the Old Town of Klaipeda, the main seaport of Lithuania. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Klaipeda

HOTEL: OLD MILL*** or similar

Day 5 Thursday: KLAIPEDA-PALANGA-Hill of Crosses-RIGA (cycling ~25 km, by coach ~290 km)

Early morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military polygon area. Arrival in Palanga, the biggest seaside resort of Lithuania. City tour including the visit to the Botanical Garden and Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, with over 25000 pieces of amber and 15000 inclusions of insects on display. Afternoon transfer to Riga (Latvia). Stop at the Hill of Crosses (16 km from Šiauliai), the unforgettable place with thousands of crosses on two small hills. Further drive to Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Arrival in Riga, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Riga

HOTEL: ALBERT*** or similar

Day 6 Friday: RIGA-JURMALA-RIGA (cycling ~25 km, by coach ~30 km)

9:00 a.m. a city tour of Riga, visiting medieval Hanseatic town, Riga castle, St.Peter`s Church, Dome Cathedral and the Old Guild Houses. In the afternoon cycling to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States well known for its long white sand beaches, curative mud and mineral waters. Transfer back by coach to the hotel in Riga. Optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Riga

HOTEL: ALBERT*** or similar

Day 7 Saturday: RIGA-SIGULDA-RIGA (cycling ~40 km, by coach/car ~100 km)

Morning transfer to the Baltic Coast in Saulkrasti where start cycling to Ragana and further through the Gauja National Park to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, situated in the Gauja River Valley. En route visit Turaida Castle and Krimulda church, the oldest one in Latvia (built in 1205), enjoy spectacular views of the Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave and explore ruins of the 13th century Crusaders Castle in Sigulda. Transfer back to Riga. Optional dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Riga

HOTEL: ALBERT*** or similar

Day 8 Sunday: RIGA

Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.

THE TOUR INCLUDES:

7 nights stay at the hotels
All hotel taxes
Breakfast daily
Welcome meeting
Transportation by air-conditioned coach
Luggage transport as per itinerary
Guide escort on days 2-7
Boat trip across the Curonian Lagoon
Ferry ticket from the Curonian Spit to Klaipeda
Excursions as per itinerary
Entrances to: Vilnius University, Trakai Insular Castle, Thomas Mann’s House in Nida, Amber museum in Palanga, Riga Cathedral, Turaida Castle.
Rent of trekking bicycle with waterproof pannier and helmet (on request) on days 2-7
Individual information package (city guides, maps and program)